As a member of COMESA, Kenya stands an excellent chance to take back markets lost to Egypt.

Whereas Kenya cannot replicate the beautiful & fascinating pyramids & ancient temples of Egypt, there is a market for tourists who want to enjoy the "Sun & Sand" and not Ancient History in a peaceful environment. It's a pity about JKIA but it should provide the impetus to expand Mombasa's airport to accommodate more flights direct from the tourists' source market.

Back to manufacturing. If Kenya can quickly create an inviting environment for increased manufacturing for export into COMESA, then that will serve Kenyans well for the future not only to counter Egypt but other countries including South Africa, China & India.

Egypt subsidized energy [electricity and fuel] for its export (including COMESA) markets but Kenya's focus on renewable [esp geothermal] energy will be a long-term advantage as Egypt faces hurdles in subsidizing energy for its population & industries. Subsidies will eventually fail and Kenya should stay away from these and concentrate on making the environment attractive for investors & industrial production.

Monday, May 13, 2013

So after all the hype in 2012 regarding the Rights Issue by Citigroup, (Not-the) Standard Investment Bank and CFC Stanbic... KQ shares are trading at KES 11.35 which is 19% below the Rights Price of KES 14.00 ... I betcha that none of the 'advisers' were paid in shares but in cash. Ideally, they should have been paid in (locked-in) shares so they feel the gain or pain.

KQ is in a deep funk. Sad but true.

KQ acceded to the unions demands for higher pay/perks/benefits in 2010. The Board and Management [excluding GoK and KLM - represented by representatives not actual shareholders] which own 0.01% or less of the shares at the time agreed. They were NOT thinking like owners. They had no reason to.

Fast-forward to 2012. KQ restructures and right-sizes the labor force. I believe this was the right move to ensure KQ's long-term survival. The courts disagreed. I think many of the judges in the Commercial/Industrial divisions have little business sense.

So now we have KQ with a PBT Loss of KES 6bn vs the Rights Proceeds before fees/commissions of KES 14bn [miraculously just 0.06% above the minimum requirement] for 1H 2012-13. The 2H 2012-13 Results are due and I doubt they will be pretty.

Will KQ require another Rights Issue in 2014?
Will Kenyans participate in the next Rights Issue? [KQ needs 50%+1 ownership to meet many of the bilateral agreements]

Well, if one can make a business out of Asylum/refugee Camps, then why not?http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/British-MPs-want-asylum-seekers-camp-set-up-in-Kenya/-/2558/1751796/-/1231gdl/-/index.htmlMy (preliminary) thoughts:The Brits pay Kenya(ns) $1,000 per month per refugee. House them in a building built with Bamburi cement, roads built by Kenyan [more likely the Chinese] firms using Kenyan engineers and labor.Provide them with food grown (and processed) by Kenyan farmers (and agro-industrial firms); clothing and linen made by a Kenyan firm [EPZ] and labor; basic medical care provided by Kenyan doctors, nurses and support staff; pricier care can be billed to the UK authorities; hire Kenyan wardens to guard them. The rungus could be made in Kariobangi. The bullets in Eldoret. The batteries for the torches in Eldoret. The patrol cars assembled by AVA in Changamwe. The petrol [probably local production in 5 years] supplied by KenolKobil.Kenya(ns) can build the refugee center in a remote part of Kenya that cannot be farmed [arid] and is far away from any major town [I can provide multiple examples]. If they send us 1,000 refugees at $1,000 per month, the gross revenue is $1,000,000 per month. That is $12,000,000 per year at KES 84/$ = KES 1,000,000,000 per year. Not many firms in Kenya have that sort of annual revenue! Add the benefits Kenya Airways gets from flying family members, British immigration officials, lawyers, etc to/from Kenya to visit these refugees as well as staying at Kenyan hotels, eating at Kenyan restaurants and using other services like phones [Safaricom, Orange, Airtel, Yu], internet, photocopying and faxes. Many Kenyans can start taxi services to/from Nairobi/Eldoret/Mombasa to the Refugee Centers. Western Union, PesaPal and M-Pesa can set up branches at the Refugee Center as can Safaricom/Airtel/Orange/Yu. Asylum seekers need paper. Lots of paper. Forms, IDs, cards, etc that can give River Road the boost it does not need.Look at this as a business and toss out those xenophobic and neo-colonial balderdash out of the window.

The season of Rights Issues [last seen in early to mid 2012] is back. With the pre-election political temperatures rising in late 2012 into 2013 and the subsequent economic uncertainty led to high(er) interest rates, a volatile KES and low share prices, the fundraising at the NSE was muted.

Now that the Kenyan General Election is over for most candidates, other matters started taking center stage including the (eagerly awaited) naming of Cabinet Appointees by President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Governors settling into their offices. As calm has settled in, the business of business takes precedence.

National Bank of Kenya (NBK) that almost died [technically insolvent] was given a lifeline [subsidy] by GoK and white glove treatment by CBK moved along slowly over time to re-establish itself, and stop the bleeding, under Reuben Marambii, the erstwhile CEO. It has a new CEO, Munir Ahmed, who will try to grow NBK into a respectable player. For now, NBK is assured of government business thus allowing it to steal a march over its competitors. This is the first time that NBK has come into the market for a Rights Issue.

Thursday, May 09, 2013

“If local roads were improved, Tullow could start producing from Kenya now, possibly trucking crude to the refinery in Mombasa,” Mr Heavey told Bloomberg at the side line of the company’s annual general meeting held in London Wednesday.
This is good news for Kenya since it means oil production (Twiga-1 and Ngamia-1)can start sooner than the projected 5-7 years. It may not be in large quantities at first but increase if (& when) additional wells come on-stream.

What makes sense for Kenya is to mandate [within the context of an equitable and transparent contract] the explorers like Tullow to build out the infrastructure. Whereas it may take some time for the Government of Kenya to get its act together to construct a road, the chances that Tullow will make it happen within a (much) shorter timeframe are much better. Tullow has a vested interest in building a good quality road to start trucking the oil to the Mombasa refinery.

The cost of construction can be paid from the proceeds due GoK from the sale of the crude oil and should be covered in the contract referred to earlier.

Apart from the proceeds from the sale of the oil, there are other benefits that accrue to Kenya(ns) as the transfer of skills starts early as do programs to train Kenyans in Oil Production Technology. The need for 'Roughnecks' will increase as more oil wells come on-stream & starting production in 2013-14 allows for many young Kenyans to get practical training in the industry.

Building a road (today) from Turkana to Mombasa requires labor & cement which is in plenty (excess capacity) in Kenya thus providing a welcome boost to the economy. Waiting for a debt-laden GoK to build the road may take a while.

Some may argue a pipeline is the better option but a road is required to open up Turkans so why not start with the Tullow Road while the plans, financing & installation of the pipeline is implemented?

Saturday, April 06, 2013

So taxpayer funded AND subsidized National Oil of Kenya (NOCK), via Sumayya Athman, offered to build Mwai Kibaki a petrol station wherever he wants regardless of the financial viability of the petrol station?

So I asked Kenyans On Twitter aka #KOT for suggestions and they do not disappoint!

Via @coldtusker : Why doesn't @KCBGroup follow in NOCK's footsteps & offer to build a branch wherever kibz wants? cc @JoshuaOigara (CEO of KCB)
Via @sunnywords : Perhaps @SafaricomLtd could offer a base station of his choice?
Via @geonal : Let SK Macharia's RMS build him a private vernacular FM station.
Via @geonal : Let @kwskenya give him a game park
Via @pengithinji : @KenyaRailways_ shouldn't be left out! That way we would have a line laid out all the way to Mweiga.
Via @MistaWahome : Unga Limited can grant him a giant Posho Mill
Via @evansowiddo : @KenyaPower should add a standby generator to enable kibaki use his massage chairs when there is a blackout
Via @msnaserian : or just build him is own power generating plant
Via @msnaserian : Maybe the @KenyaAirports will offer to construct him an airport
Via @denniskioko : China will build him a dual carriageway to his home, while @kenyapower will build him a substation.
Via denniskioko : @Safaricom will build him an Mpesa outlet. City Council will give break down truck.
Via kevonshky : @KenyaPower will give him Candles
Via fashbesz : Kenya Ports Authority set to build kibaki a port at a place of his choice
Via @jgakinya : Then Cube movers will move him from state house to his half a b residence in Mweiga for free.
Via @lynnkathu : and Othaya peoples(sic) a tea factory
Via @danaceda : Tuesday, I will also give the retired president all the Benga in the whole world for him to listen to exclusively at Mweiga.
Via @symowain : KPC should connect the #PetrolStation with an all expense paid pipeline to make the freebie worth,operational.
Via @kuxii : me thinks they'll (@KenyaPower) give him a generator.
Via @leomukasa : New KCC...installing a milk plant, complete with piping and taps in every room in Kibaki's retirement house
Via @ShadrackKimutai NCC should give him a yellow tire clamp.
Via @ShadrackKimutai Lawyers should build him a Golf Course at othaya.
Via @KipkemboiKoech : Will Kenyatta Hospital gift the whole surgical wing to Kibaki while we are at it?
Via @JacksonTheuri : I propose Kenyans and Ugandans give Kibaki #migingo as a gift to solve the row over that rock.
Via @optimmyst : @kwsKenya to also set up a game reserve at his 500m house balcony
Via @maruwinnie : Tuskys or @Nakumatt shud be falling over themselves to build a supermkt in his compound
Via @emalid : Nakumatt to also set up a mini-store for Kibaki hapo nje kwa gate
Via @MosesMuya : Kenyans on Twitter will keep him entertained for the rest of his life! #SemaCrazy cc #KOT : Please action this! :)
Via @KipkemboiKoech : A year supply of Paraffin from NOCK would have been a better idea since he will have to live with @KenyaPower's vagaries.
Via EvangelineChao : Equity to put up an ATM at his Othaya Compound.
Via @ochoti : Kenya Ports Authority should open a port at the banks of River Chania.
Via @fmbuthia : Ogopa Dejays wampatie recording deal ya mwaka moja
Via EvangelineChao : Drama festivals national finalists will perform for him in his Othaya compound, every year.
Via EvangelineChao : Multichoice will dedicate a rain-proof satellite dish to him.
Via EvangelineChao : KPLC will build non-hydrophobic power lines just for him.
Via @ochoti : @iebcpage to put up a polling station in his compound for his domestic staff.
Via @ShadrackKimutai : Matatu owners association should buy him a 33 seater manyanga
Via @kamwega : Kiwi should just provide a lifetime shoe polish
Via @virgie_shikoh : how abt Mercedes establish a showroom at his mweiga home
Via EvangelineChao : Kenya Meteorological Department to always predict the weather in his favour.
Via @TitusDedKIMZ : @kenyaairports to build a runway on his balcony!!
Via @gitts : from supa loaf... you know the rest
Via @TheAkiru : Kenyatta Hospital to open a branch in his compound
Via @Odary_G : @SafaricomLtd allow his bonga pnts 2 redeem migingo island
Via @risperg : Kibera guys should ng'oa reli and take it to Othaya as a thank you gift.
Via @iDaywa : Dong Fang on Biashara St. to offer curtains anywhere he wishes to speak behind from like the way he did with RAO.
Via @joeemgee : @SubaruKenya should setup a service station in his compound, he is the king of subarus
Via @mmnjug : DT.Dobie will open a Mercedes service center in his compound for his fleet.
Via @kuirab : Maybe @CapitalFM_kenya will let Kibaki DJ a show, he can be DJ Baks
Via @mmnjug : KCC will open a milk processing plant in his compound.
Via @mentalacrobatic : No jokes the Agricultural Soc of Kenya gave Kibaki a cow called Pale. He'd direct Pale pale or pale Pale
Via @denniskioko : He he. Kibaki will have a city near his house by the end of it all.
Via @jgakinya : Doctors union to teach him how to consult so that RAO can stop complaining.
Via _Mboga_ : a trophy, by harambee sta.... Never mind
Via @PapaMarvokolo: China Wu yi will build A superhighway from his Bedroom to the Kitchen!!
Via @macharia_p: @AIRTEL_KE to extend #bonganabob for a lifetime for him
Via @mmnjug : This @NSEKenya will open a trading branch at Kibaki's home.
Via @mmnjug : Min.of Transport to bring home Mwai Kibaki Road from Tanzania to his farm.
Via @collns : wrigley to provide him with unlimited supply of pk
Via @MumbiKaigwa : Port Authority to move Kenya coastline to Othaya.

And this is the KES 500,000,000 retirement home for the Kibaki built at Taxpayer expense. I do not know if the house has been gifted to him or it will be 'returned' to the Taxpayers in the future.

Mwai Kibaki has approved a bill that awarded him a Sh25 million send-off package as well as other retirement benefits.The Presidential Retirement Benefits Amendment Bill grants President Kibaki and his predecessor Daniel arap Moi a monthly pension, house allowance and a monthly entertainment allowance.

The president will also be paid pension at the rate of 80 percent of his final salary of Sh700,000 meaning he would earn Sh560,000 a month. In addition he will be paid 40 percent of the current salary as entertainment allowance which translates to some Sh280,000.

Not a bad deal, eh? Let's review:

KES 25,000,000 'bonus' + 1,000,000 per month for life + medical benefits that includes treatment at the best hospitals abroad + luxury cars + drivers + bodyguards + + + [all paid for by the long suffering taxpayers]

The (taxpayer owned, subsidized & funded) National Oil Corporation will build a petrol station for Kibaki at a place of his choice.

The Ministry of Fisheries is to construct four fish ponds for him. Funded by the taxpayer. Not for the poor Kenyan farmer who barely ekes out a living. Not the residents of Nairobi or Moyale who need a green space with water features.

An aquarium by top public servants. I hope this was expensed to the ministries by these 'top public servants" rather than paid from their own pockets.

The National Youth Service is to also sink a borehole for the outgoing President.

Two digital television sets by the Ministry of Information and Communications and a number of books. PS Bitange Ndemo said one of the TVs will be in Kibaki’s bedroom while the other is for the living room. *Note: @bantigito (Bitange Ndemo) informed me that the 2 TVs were a gift from the staff and NOT charged to the Ministry.

The University of Nairobi is to establish a library at President Kibaki’s home. The university will further give a copy of each of the books it has published to President Kibaki, Higher Education PS Crispus Kiamba said. The students do not need additional library facilities.

President Kibaki was further awarded two high tech massage chairs. The article doesn't say who paid for these. Well, the taxpayer paid for them.

The Judiciary gave him a set of golf clubs.

This one takes the cake!

National Oil managing director Sumayya Athmani said the petrol station, a sign of appreciation for the huge expansion of the parastatal during Kibaki’s tenure, would be built in the next three months.

So NOCK is a taxpayer funded organization that probably delivers below average returns & is given preferential treatment. So, Sumayya who is a 1/44,000,000,000 owner of NOCK is making a decision that is NOT a commercial decision to build a petrol station based on winning brownie points?

Mr Otieno said some of the items donated to President Kibaki will be delivered on Tuesday when he will no longer be a state officer as the costs of the items exceed the limit stated by the Ethics and Economics Crimes Act. Hmmm, is this to beat the limits & restrictions of the Ethics and Economics Crimes Act?

Article 76(1) of the Constitution also reads; “A gift or donation to a State Officer on a public or official occasion is a gift or donation to the Republic and shall be delivered to the State unless exempted under an act of Parliament.”

Similarly, Section 11 (3) of the Public Officers Ethics Act states: “A public officer may accept a gift given to him in his official capacity, but unless the gift is a non-monetary that does not exceed the value prescribed by regulation, such gift shall be deemed to be a gift of the Public Officers Organisation.”

A jovial and smiling President Kibaki accepted the gifts as he joked in Kiswahili “nitazichukua (I will keep them).” Why not?

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

This reminds me of the sale of shares in Kencell to Celtel... and a further sale of shares to Zain then to Airtel.

Not to forget the prior 'deals' when he off-loaded 'Firestone EA' (now Sameer Africa) shares at KES 35.50 to an unsuspecting public. He had bought these from ICDC at KES 5 [it was in the Information Memorandum].

Then there was Eveready aka Neveready at KES 9.50 & which trades between KES 1-2 nowadays.

Treasury releases Sh10bn balance for CDF projects

Yep, the current minister for finance, Robinson Githae, who I think has not done too badly, has crumbled under political pressure & released KES 10bn to the greedy MPigs.

I guarantee some, if not most, of the MPigs will divert the funds to:

1) buy votes by providing 'jobs' to supporters working on the CDF projects

2) buy materials/services from their supporters/donors/lackeys/family

3) directly embezzle the funds

4) fund their campaigns or buy campaign materials

In the post-election confusion with new counties & all the in-fighting... these MPigs will be left alone to do what they want with the CDF funds. These funds should not have been released considering there are only 2 months to elections but caretaker committees (composed of constituents) should have been allowed to complete or oversee the projects to completion.